You may be wondering what you can do with all those clothes and shoes you no longer need or use and especially those that are not in good shape.  My favorite very soft and very worn cotton shirt finally fell apart – the sleeve got so thin, it just ripped apart.  I was so sad!  I thought of throwing it in the garbage, but then I remembered reading about textile recycling.  To my great surprise, I found that there are companies and organizations that will facilitate reusing and repurposing even your most worn clothes and shoes, even underwear (yikes!).  And, much of our clothing is made out of polyester, which is, guess what - just another form of plastic. 
Thred Up is an online thrift store that goes beyond the brick-and-mortar store – they educate consumers and bring awareness to the global fashion waste crisis and provide a resale service for fashion retailers and brands.  You can also help you clean out your own closet.  Just ask for a prepaid mailing label from Thred Up and send them your stuff.  They will sell the resalable items and give you cash (90% of sales price) or shopping credit.  https://www.thredup.com/cleanout 

The Zero Waste Store points out on its website that “according to the EPA, approximately 84% of donated textiles are thrown away each year?”  This store provides a way to reduce that waste – part of the circular economy.  You can purchase a “For Days Take Back Bag” for $20 and send them your unloved or damaged textile items.  Half of the items get turned into rags or insulation, nearly half gets resold, and only 5% is trashed.  With the $20 Take Back Bag, you earn $20 in For Days Closet Cash once they receive your items.  For Days accepts all textiles including socks, undies, bedding, towels, linens, shoes, and handbags in any condition. This even includes textiles that are ripped, torn, or stained!  https://zerowastestore.com/products/textile-recycling-take-back-bag?

The online company - Thousand Fell Sneakers – will take all your textiles, including clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, in any condition and you earn credit for everything you recycle when you buy their shoes.  They charge a $20 recycling deposit for every purchase.

 https://www.thousandfell.com

Denim recycling:  Blue Jeans Go Green collaborates with stores and brands to recycle blue jeans.  You can drop off the jeans at some local retailers or mail in your items. 

https://bluejeansgogreen.org/recycle-denim/

Patagonia and other companies will take back clothing and gear:  https://wornwear.patagonia.com

You can even help provide jobs: 

Recycle for Change is a non-profit organization that collects and recycles used clothing and shoes focuses on reducing the amount of textiles that go into landfills.  Profits support job creation to address poverty.  https://www.recycleforchange.org/

Why does it matter?  Here is some information from CalRecyle’s (California’s regulatory agency) website at https://calrecycle.ca.gov/ReduceWaste/Textiles/

“Reducing the amount of textiles we landfill has positive environmental impacts. Manufacturers use extensive resources to produce textiles, including oil to produce synthetic fibers, fertilizers to grow cotton, and chemicals to produce, dye, and finish fibers and textiles. Although textile recycling is available, the best way to reduce these environmental impacts is by reducing the amount of textiles we purchase, use, and dispose.

For example, more than 700 gallons of water are used to produce one cotton t-shirt or one pair of jeans. The climate impact of manufacturing one t-shirt is approximately 4.3 kg C02, which is equivalent to driving a car for about ten miles. Polyester clothing has an even bigger impact on the environment, and the manufacturing process to produce the average polyester t-shirt releases 5.5 kg C02 emissions, which is equivalent to driving a car for about 13 miles.

The garment industry is a big business and globally produces 150 billion pieces per year, which is enough for every person on the planet to have 20 new pieces of clothing per year. The United States is the largest importer of new clothing with $220 billion in sales in 2016, or about $2,000 per person.”

What can you do?

• Recycle your used textiles and even make some money if you try out Thred Up!

• Buy fewer clothes and pass on your gently used clothing to charitable organizations or your child or friend!!

• See more at https://www.thredup.com